Mexico City International Airport faces operational setbacks

Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is facing significant operational challenges despite completing an initial rehabilitation phase. Admiral Juan José Padilla Olmos, the airport director, acknowledged persistent deficiencies including a failing Aerotrén system that connects Terminals 1 and 2, which suffers from frequent breakdowns and difficulty sourcing components.

Other critical issues include approximately 70 abandoned aircraft and helicopters occupying space in the northern zone, inadequate waste management processes, and severe traffic congestion at Terminal 2 access points. While a 6 billion peso investment was made ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new modernization phase with a total budget of 10 billion pesos is planned to address these setbacks. Some solutions, such as replacing the Aerotrén and improving road access, are not expected until 2027.